Polysorbate 80 (E433)

Description

1. Product Overview
   Polysorbate 80 (E433) is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and oleic acid, widely used to stabilize oil-in-water systems across industrial processes. Its primary industrial use is as an emulsifying, dispersing, and solubilizing agent in formulations where consistent interfacial performance is critical. The key value proposition is reliable, high-purity emulsification that improves process stability, reduces batch rejects, and enables higher active-load formulations. Strategically, Polysorbate 80 is a core formulation ingredient across food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial coatings value chains, making it a cornerstone commodity for manufacturers seeking consistent product quality and scalable production.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical name: Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Polysorbate 80, E433).

• CAS number: 9005-65-6.

• Composition: Polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters of oleic acid; nonionic surfactant.

• Grade: Food, pharmaceutical, and technical grades available (specify required grade at enquiry).

• Purity: Typical active content ≥ 70–80% esterified polyoxyethylene sorbitan; free fatty acid and acid value controlled per grade; technical spec sheets provided on request.

• Appearance: Viscous, pale yellow to amber liquid.

• Odor: Characteristic mild fatty odor; grade-dependent.

• Viscosity: Batch-dependent; typical ranges supplied in technical datasheet.

• Solubility: Miscible with water in use concentrations; excellent solubilizing capacity for lipophilic actives.

• Density: Approximately 1.06–1.12 g/cm³ (grade and temperature dependent).

• HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance): Approximately 15, suitable for oil-in-water emulsions and dispersion.

• pH: Neutral to slightly acidic in aqueous solution; depends on formulation.

• Packaging options: 25 kg HDPE drums, 200 kg drums, 1000 kg IBCs, BULK tanker deliveries (subject to contract).

• Shelf life: Typical 24 months when stored sealed in original containers at 5–30°C, away from direct sunlight and freezing; open-container handling guidance available.

• Regulatory status: Listed as E433 (food additive) and widely accepted in pharmacopeias where pharmaceutical grade is supplied; conformity documentation available upon request.

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Food & Beverage: Emulsifier for dressings, sauces, and beverages; enhances texture, stabilizes emulsions, and enables higher oil loading with consistent mouthfeel.

• Pharmaceuticals & Biotech: Solubilizer and wetting agent in oral, topical, and injectable formulations; supports micronutrient and API solubilization, improving bioavailability and process reproducibility.

• Personal Care & Cosmetics: Emulsification of creams, lotions, and makeup; delivers stable, non-greasy textures and extensible processing windows.

• Agrochemicals: Wetting and dispersing agent for pesticide formulations, enabling uniform active distribution and improved spray performance.

• Industrial Coatings & Lubricants: Emulsifying and dispersing component in waterborne coatings and emulsifiable concentrates; improves stability and lowers VOC exposure.
  Why it outperforms alternatives:

• Broader solubilizing power for oleophilic actives compared with lower-HLB surfactants, enabling reduced co-solvent use.

• Established regulatory acceptance (E433) and availability in pharmaceutical grades supports cross-sector adoption.

• Consistent HLB and batch-to-batch quality reduce reformulation risk and production downtime.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Manufactured under controlled processes with certificate of analysis (CoA) for each batch, supporting traceability and regulatory audits.

• Supply reliability: Multiple production lines and safety-stock strategy ensure steady delivery for continuous manufacturing customers.

• Logistics capability: Flexible packaging (drums, IBCs, tankers) and containerized bulk loading options to optimize freight and handling for global distribution.

• Price competitiveness: Commodity-scale sourcing and optimized supply chain enable competitive unit pricing at high-volume contracts.

• Sustainability: Options for feedstock traceability and lower-VOC formulations; waste-minimizing packaging available upon request.

• Technical support: Comprehensive technical datasheets, regulatory documentation (CoA, SDS), application guidance, and formulation support for scale-up and troubleshooting.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20MT.

• Loading capacity (MT per container):

  • 20-foot container (drummed/IBCs): up to 20 MT depending on packing configuration.

  • ISO tank / tanker: up to ~24–25 MT (subject to density and transport regulations).

• Lead times: Typical lead time depends on order size and grade; standard bulk orders fulfilled within contractually agreed windows, expedited options available.

• Incoterms, payment, and quality terms: Provided in formal quote.